The Influence of Organic Matter on Soil Aggregation and Water Infiltration

Erosion can be controlled by four main means, that is, improving soil structure, covering soil with plants, covering soil with mulch, and using special structures. Soil structure is related to the soil tilth, or physical condition of a soil, with respect to ease of tillage or workability as shown by the fitness of a soil as a seedbed and the ease of root penetration. Other terms relating to soil structure improvement are soil aggregation and the formation of aggregates. Aggregates form when a cementing substance is present in a soil. The most important cementing substances in soil are soil polysaccharides and soil polyuronides produced as by-products from microorganisms during decomposition of organic matter. Other less important cementing substances in soil include clays, Ca, and Fe. Formation of aggregates results in improved water infiltration with reduction in erosion. Decomposition of organic matter in soils can be shown as an equation: . . . Plant and animal remains + O2 + soil microorganisms → CO2 + H2O + elements + humus + synthates + energy . . . The decomposition process has the following features: . . . 1. Oxygen is required; thus soil aeration is important. Anytime a soil is stirred or mixed by cultivation, spading, plowing, some organic matter decomposition occurs. 2. Readily available decomposable organic material is required for the microbes to work on. Green organic material, such as grass clippings, is an excellent substrate. 3. Many different types of soil microorganisms are involved in this process. Decomposition is more rapid in soils at pH 7 (neutral). 4. A product of organic decomposition is humus. Humus has many desirable features that improve a soil for plant growth. 5. Plant or animal remains are not effective in soil aggregation until they begin to decompose. 6. The more rapid the decomposition, the greater effect of soil aggregation. . . . Microbial synthates consist of polymers called “polysaccharides” and “polyuronides.” A polymer is a long-chain compound made up of single monomer units hooked together acting as a unit. The term “poly” means “many” and “saccharide” means “sugar.”

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Effects of glyphosate-based herbicides and their active ingredients on earthworms, water infiltration and glyphosate leaching are influenced by soil properties

Environmental Sciences Europe ◽

10.1186/s12302-021-00492-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 33 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Johann G. Zaller ◽

Maureen Weber ◽

Michael Maderthaner ◽

Edith Gruber ◽

Eszter Takács ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Soil Properties ◽

Weed Control ◽

Amaranthus Retroflexus ◽

Water Infiltration ◽

Soil Conditions ◽

Soil Functions ◽

Active Ingredients ◽

Hand Weeding ◽

Earthworm Activity

Abstract Background Glyphosate-based herbicides (GBHs) are among the most often used pesticides. The hundreds of GBHs used worldwide consist of the active ingredient (AI) glyphosate in form of different salts, possibly other AIs, and various mostly undisclosed co-formulants. Pesticide risk assessments are commonly performed using single AIs or GBHs at standard soil conditions without vegetation. In a greenhouse experiment, we established a weed population with common amaranth (Amaranthus retroflexus) to examine the effects of three GBHs (Roundup LB Plus, Roundup PowerFlex, Touchdown Quattro) and their corresponding AIs (salts of glyphosate isopropylammonium, potassium, diammonium) on the activity and physiological biomarkers (glutathione S-transferase, GST; acetylcholine esterase, AChE) of an ecologically relevant earthworm species (Lumbricus terrestris). GBHs and AIs were applied at recommended doses; hand weeding served as control. Experiments were established with two soil types differing in organic matter content (SOM; 3.0% vs. 4.1%) and other properties. Results Earthworm activity (casting and movement activity) decreased after application of glyphosate formulations or active ingredients compared to hand weeding. We found no consistent pattern that formulations had either higher or lower effects on earthworm activity than their active ingredients; rather, differences were substance-specific. Earthworm activity was little affected by soil organic matter levels. Biomarkers remained unaffected by weed control types; GST but not AChE was decreased under high SOM. Water infiltration after a simulated heavy rainfall was interactively affected by weed control types and SOM. Leachate amount was higher after application of formulations than active ingredients and was higher under low SOM. Glyphosate concentrations in soil and leachate were strongly affected by application of formulations or active ingredients and varied with SOM (significant weed control type x SOM interaction). Conclusions We found that both commercial formulations and pure active ingredients can influence earthworms with consequences on important soil functions. Glyphosate products showed increased, reduced or similar effects than pure glyphosate on particular soil functions; soil properties can substantially alter this. Especially at lower SOM, heavy rainfalls could lead to more glyphosate leaching into water bodies. A full disclosure of co-formulants would be necessary to further decipher their specific contributions to these inconsistent effects.

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Organic matter dynamics, soil aggregation and microbial biomass and activity in Technosols created with metalliferous mine residues, biochar and marble waste

Geoderma ◽

10.1016/j.geoderma.2017.04.017 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 301 ◽

pp. 19-29 ◽

Cited By ~ 26

Author(s):

Fabián Moreno-Barriga ◽

Vicente Díaz ◽

José A. Acosta ◽

M. Ángeles Muñoz ◽

Ángel Faz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Microbial Biomass ◽

Soil Aggregation ◽

Organic Matter Dynamics ◽

Marble Waste

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Soil Management for Conservation and Sustainable Rice Production in an Irrigated Area of Eastern Nigeria

Outlook on Agriculture ◽

10.1177/003072709602500303 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 25 (3) ◽

pp. 151-156 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Charles L.A. Asadu

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Bulk Density ◽

Relative Proportion ◽

Soil Management ◽

Infiltration Rate ◽

Water Infiltration ◽

Negative Effects ◽

Irrigation Project ◽

Irrigated Area ◽

Cropping Season

An comparison of soilmanagement techniques In the different irrigation zones of Lower Anambra Irrigation Project (LAIP) In eastern Nigeria showed that heavy use of machinery led to Increases In bulk density and decreases In field water Infiltration rate. The relative proportion of clay In the irrigated fields Increased as a result of Irrigation, suggesting that mobilized clay from uncemented main and distribution canals Is carried and deposited In the rice fields. Both Irrigation and the use of machinery have had substantial negative effects on soli nutrient levels, and there is a danger of this process continuing. Soli management for sustainable production in the area should centre on applying organic matter in combination with inorganic fertilizers, monitoring the soli properties on yearly basis before the cropping season for fertilizer and lime recommendations, and varying the depth of tillage to Increase or maintain the effective soli depth.

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Organic Matter Clogging Results in Undeveloped Hardpan and Soil Mineral Leakage in the Rice Terraces in the Philippine Cordilleras

Water ◽

10.3390/w12113158 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (11) ◽

pp. 3158

Author(s):

Tomoyo Kurozumi ◽

Yasushi Mori ◽

Hiroaki Somura ◽

Milagros O-How

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Soil Analysis ◽

Influencing Factor ◽

Soil Layer ◽

Organic Matter Content ◽

Matter Content ◽

Water Infiltration ◽

Soil Conditions ◽

Infiltration Process ◽

Soil Nutrition

Rice terraces in Cordillera, Philippines, a world cultural heritage site, are threatened by the risk of collapse. It is crucial to manage these rice terraces for their conservation, while simultaneously practicing traditional farming. We examined the soil environment and investigated its effects on rice terrace conservation, by focusing on the hardpan condition; infiltration process, which is related to the collapse of rice terraces; and soil nutrition conditions in these sites. Field survey and soil analysis revealed that in areas where the hardpan was not sufficiently developed and water infiltration was effectively suppressed, organic matter content was significantly high, suggesting organic matter clogging. In these rice terraces, the amounts of P, K, Ca, and Mn were significantly low, showing the mineral leaching under reductive soil conditions. Therefore, hardpan formation, rather than organic matter clogging, is essential for the suppression of infiltration and prevention of potential terrace collapse. Because hardpan formation or organic matter clogging cannot be identified from the surface of flooded rice paddies, it is difficult to identify the influencing factor. Thus, we suggest that the hard soil layer should be checked before the planting season and drainage is allowed after the cropping season in the rainy season.

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Soil Management by Cover Crops in Vineyards for Climate Change Adaptation

Proceedings ◽

10.3390/proceedings2019030026 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 30 (1) ◽

pp. 26

Author(s):

Marqués ◽

Bienes ◽

Ruiz-Colmenero

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Organic Matter ◽

Soil Moisture ◽

Soil Organic Matter ◽

Climate Change Adaptation ◽

Climatic Conditions ◽

Water Infiltration ◽

Soil Conditions ◽

Grass Cover ◽

Rainfall Events

The wine captures grapes variety nature and vinification techniques, but other aspects of soil, climate and terrain are equally important for the terroir expression as a whole. Soil supplies moisture, nitrogen, and minerals. Particularly nitrogen obtained through mineralization of soil organic matter and water uptake are crucial for grape yield, berry sugar, anthocyanin and tannin concentration, hence grape quality and vineyard profitability. Different climatic conditions, which are predicted for the future, can significantly modify this relationship between vines and soils. New climatic conditions under global warming predict higher temperatures, erratic and extreme rainfall events, and drought spells. These circumstances are particularly worrisome for typical thin soils of the Mediterranean environment. This study reports the effect of permanent grass cover in vineyards to maintain or increase soil organic matter and soil moisture. The influence of natural and simulated rainfalls on soils was studied. A comparison between minimum tillage (MT) and permanent grass cover crop (GC) of the temperate grass Brachypodium distachyon was done. Water infiltration, water holding capacity, organic carbon sequestration and protection from extreme events, were considered in a sloping vineyard located in the south of Madrid, Spain. The MT is the most widely used cultivation method in the area. The tradition supports this management practice to capture and preserve water in soils. It creates small depressions that accumulate water and eventually improves water infiltration. This effect was acknowledged in summer after recent MT cultivation; however, it was only short-lived as surface roughness declined after rainfalls. Especially, intense rainfall events left the surface of bare soil sealed. Consequently, the effects depend on the season of the year. In autumn, a rainy season of the year, MT failed to enhance infiltration. On the contrary, B. distachyon acted as a physical barrier, produced more infiltration (22% increase) and fewer particles detachment, due to increased soil structure stability and soil organic matter (50% increase). The GC efficiently protected soil from high-intensity events (more than 2 mm min-1). Besides, soil moisture at 35 cm depth was enhanced with GC (9% more than tillage). On average, soil moisture in GC was not significantly different from MT. These effects of GC on soil conditions created local micro-environmental conditions that can be considered advantageous as a climate change adaptation strategy, because they improved water balance, maintained a sustainable level of soil organic matter, therefore organic nitrogen, all these factors crucial for improving wine quality.

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Organic matter and soil aggregation in agricultural systems with different adoption times

Semina Ciências Agrárias ◽

10.5433/1679-0359.2019v40n6supl3p3443 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 40 (6Supl3) ◽

pp. 3443 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Jean Sérgio Rosset ◽

Maria do Carmo Lana ◽

Marcos Gervasio Pereira ◽

Jolimar Antonio Schiavo ◽

Leandro Rampim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Structural Stability ◽

Soil Aggregation ◽

Total Carbon ◽

Management Systems ◽

Physical Fractionation ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Brachiaria Ruziziensis ◽

No Till ◽

Soil Structural Stability

In conservation management systems, such as no-till (NT), it is important to analyze the pattern of changes in soil quality as a function of the time since adoption of the system. This study evaluated the physical fractions of organic matter and soil aggregation in management systems in areas cultivated with different times since implementation of NT: 6, 14, and 22 successive years of soybean and maize/wheat crops (NT6, NT14, and NT22, respectively); 12 years of no-till with successive years of soybean and maize/wheat crops, and the last 4 years with integration of maize and ruzi grass (Brachiaria ruziziensis) - (NT+B); pasture; and forest. Physical fractionation of organic matter determined the total carbon (TC), particulate organic matter (POM), and mineral organic matter (MOM) by calculating the carbon management index (CMI) and variables related to soil structural stability. Forest and pasture areas showed the highest contents of TC, POM, and MOM, as well as higher stocks of POM and MOM. Among the cultivated areas, higher TC and particulate fractions of organic matter and the best CMI values were observed in the area of NT22. There were changes in aggregation indices, depending on the time since implementation of NT. Areas of NT22, pasture, and forest showed the greatest evolution in C-CO2, indicating increased biological activity, with positive effects on soil structural stability.

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Role of Organic Matter and Carbonates in Soil Aggregation Estimated Using Laser Diffractometry

Pedosphere ◽

10.1016/s1002-0160(11)60158-6 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 21 (5) ◽

pp. 566-572 ◽

Cited By ~ 28

Author(s):

I. VIRTO ◽

N. GARTZIA-BENGOETXEA ◽

O. FERNÁNDEZ-UGALDE

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Soil Aggregation ◽

Laser Diffractometry

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Measuring Soil Loss and Subsequent Nutrient and Organic Matter Loss on Farmland

Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Environmental Science ◽

10.1093/acrefore/9780199389414.013.189 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Vito Ferro ◽

Vincenzo Bagarello

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Soil Organic Matter ◽

Soil Loss ◽

Soil Structure ◽

Overland Flow ◽

Organic Matter Content ◽

Matter Content ◽

Water Infiltration ◽

Surface Erosion ◽

Rill Erosion

Field plots are often used to obtain experimental data (soil loss values corresponding to different climate, soil, topographic, crop, and management conditions) for predicting and evaluating soil erosion and sediment yield. Plots are used to study physical phenomena affecting soil detachment and transport, and their sizes are determined according to the experimental objectives and the type of data to be obtained. Studies on interrill erosion due to rainfall impact and overland flow need small plot width (2–3 m) and length (< 10 m), while studies on rill erosion require plot lengths greater than 6–13 m. Sites must be selected to represent the range of uniform slopes prevailing in the farming area under consideration. Plots equipped to study interrill and rill erosion, like those used for developing the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE), measure erosion from the top of a slope where runoff begins; they must be wide enough to minimize the edge or border effects and long enough to develop downslope rills. Experimental stations generally include bounded runoff plots of known rea, slope steepness, slope length, and soil type, from which both runoff and soil loss can be monitored. Once the boundaries defining the plot area are fixed, a collecting equipment must be used to catch the plot runoff. A conveyance system (H-flume or pipe) carries total runoff to a unit sampling the sediment and a storage system, such as a sequence of tanks, in which sediments are accumulated. Simple methods have been developed for estimating the mean sediment concentration of all runoff stored in a tank by using the vertical concentration profile measured on a side of the tank. When a large number of plots are equipped, the sampling of suspension and consequent oven-drying in the laboratory are highly time-consuming. For this purpose, a sampler that can extract a column of suspension, extending from the free surface to the bottom of the tank, can be used. For large plots, or where runoff volumes are high, a divisor that splits the flow into equal parts and passes one part in a storage tank as a sample can be used. Examples of these devices include the Geib multislot divisor and the Coshocton wheel. Specific equipment and procedures must be employed to detect the soil removed by rill and gully erosion. Because most of the soil organic matter is found close to the soil surface, erosion significantly decreases soil organic matter content. Several studies have demonstrated that the soil removed by erosion is 1.3–5 times richer in organic matter than the remaining soil. Soil organic matter facilitates the formation of soil aggregates, increases soil porosity, and improves soil structure, facilitating water infiltration. The removal of organic matter content can influence soil infiltration, soil structure, and soil erodibility.

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Soil aggregation and organic carbon of Oxisols under coffee in agroforestry systems

Revista Brasileira de Ciência do Solo ◽

10.1590/s0100-06832014000100028 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 38 (1) ◽

pp. 278-287 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Gabriel Pinto Guimarães ◽

Eduardo de Sá Mendonça ◽

Renato Ribeiro Passos ◽

Felipe Vaz Andrade

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Organic Carbon ◽

Soil Aggregation ◽

Root Penetration ◽

Conventional System ◽

Physical Quality ◽

Soil Physical Quality ◽

Organic Coffee ◽

On Farm ◽

The Impact

Intensive land use can lead to a loss of soil physical quality with negative impacts on soil aggregates, resistance to root penetration, porosity, and bulk density. Organic and agroforestry management systems can represent sustainable, well-balanced alternatives in the agroecosystem for promoting a greater input of organic matter than the conventional system. Based on the hypothesis that an increased input of organic matter improves soil physical quality, this study aimed to evaluate the impact of coffee production systems on soil physical properties in two Red-Yellow Oxisols (Latossolos Vermelho-Amarelos) in the region of Caparaó, Espirito Santo, Brazil. On Farm 1, we evaluated the following systems: primary forest (Pf1), organic coffee (Org1) and conventional coffee (Con1). On Farm 2, we evaluated: secondary forest (Sf2), organic coffee intercropped with inga (Org/In2), organic coffee intercropped with leucaena and inga (Org/In/Le2), organic coffee intercropped with cedar (Org/Ced2) and unshaded conventional coffee (Con2). Soil samples were collected under the tree canopy from the 0-10, 10-20 and 20-40 cm soil layers. Under organic and agroforestry coffee management, soil aggregation was higher than under conventional coffee. In the agroforestry system, the degree of soil flocculation was 24 % higher, soil moisture was 80 % higher, and soil resistance to penetration was lower than in soil under conventional coffee management. The macroaggregates in the organic systems, Org/In2, Org/In/Le2, and Org/Ced2 contained, on average, 29.1, 40.1 and 34.7 g kg-1 organic carbon, respectively. These levels are higher than those found in the unshaded conventional system (Con2), with 20.2 g kg-1.

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